airborne troops in the Kampina
An early landing.
In the afternoon of September 18 1944, day two of operation Market Garden, again a large armada of transport and glider aircraft passed over Oisterwijk territory. When heavy German Flak came in to action two gliders were suddenly released in mid-air and floated down to the ground disappearing behind the treeline. The inhabitants of Oisterwijk that witnessed this event thought that liberation would now come soon and that it would only be a matter of hours until they would be liberated. Unfortunately, the gliders were released to soon, presumably due to a broken towrope. The two gliders were filled with airbone soldiers and both aircraft came down at the wrong place. They landed between Oisterwijk and Boxtel near the edge of the Kampina heather and forest. Unable to reach their own lines at Eindhoven the airborne troops hid themselves in the Kampina forest. The group consisted of some 30 American airborne soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division. The local resistance of the village of Oisterwijk and Boxtel were able to get in to contact with the group and provided them with a good place to hide in the Kampina forest. As far away as possible from the place where their gliders had landed they were housed in large camouflaged holes dug in to the ground in an area called ‘Huisvennen’ near a moor. By using tent fabric and wooden beams they were able to build a couple of reasonably good shelters between the trees and bushes.
The most important thing for the local resistance was to provide the troops with the necessary food and drinks which seemed to be a rather difficult and dangerous task. About one pig was cooked, sliced in parts and hidden in milk containers to provide the necessary food for the men. The milk containers were then transported on bicycles to the hideout by resistance members disguised as farmers. Farmers from the surroundings were willing to help the resistance and offered help in providing the hungry men with different sorts of food. A bakery in Oisterwijk provided them with 60 double loaves of bread a day and others provided 20 pounds of butter a day. Even then there was still a shortage in food while the resistance workers had to explain, that in view of the war situation, there was no need for them to slice the butter for the bread into slices of one centimetre. After this explanation the soldiers did their best and adapted themselves to their difficult situation.
Into the direction of the city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch other gliders had also landed prematurely and one of them had come down in an area near the village of Vught. This glider was also part of the September 18 lift and it landed on the Bergenshuizen estate, near some woods just outside the village. This American build CG-4A Waco glider was piloted by the American glider pilot F/O. Chester Ritter and was carrying 13 American airborne soldiers and a small mortar. No one onboard the glider was hurt during the landing and all the men were able to hide for a while in the woods surrounding the Bergenshuizen estate. After some time a resistance worker by the name of Marinus Verhagen, who lived in the village of Esch, was able to contact the troops and bring them to the airborne troops in the Kampina forest at the ‘Huisvennen’ hide out. Parts of the skeleton and the wheels of Ritters glider were kept in the area at Bergenshuizen for many years by farmers who made good use of these materials after the war. The wheels of the glider for instance were used as the undercarriage for a flat wagon on the farm of farmer Joseph Hooijman located on the Bergenshuizen estate. Later that same flat wagon was used by a farmer called Albert Peijnenburg from the village Esch. He used it as a hay wagon on and around his farm. For many years the skeleton of the Waco glider was used by farmer Jos van Esch who also lived in Esch. Farmer Van Esch used parts of the gliderskeleton to build a wooden stable for his new born pigs. Today these pieces are on display in the Dutch WW2 museum named Wings of Liberation museum at Son near the city of Eindhoven.
Around that time also a crew of a downed tug aircraft were attempting to stay out of enemy hands. They were also brought to the hideout at Huisvennen by local resistance workers. Also men who were onboard other gliders that made an early landing in the area were brought together. With the help of the Boxtel resistance they were all put into hiding in the kampina at Huisvennen. This group then steadily grew and after a while it consisted of 46 Americans, one Pole, a Dutchman and 3 British soldiers, generally all airborne troops.
Then in the night of 21 October the Oisterwijk resistance brought another group of soldiers to Huisvennen. This group consisted of 47 British and American airborne soldiers, amongst them British Red Barrets, that all landed to soon by glider. They came down near an area of sand dunes and woods named Loonse en Drunense duinen (Loon and Drunen dunes) near the village Loon op Zand.
The Germans were aware of the presence of airborne troops in the area but were not able to locate their hideout despite some search party’s. The troops remained in their hideout until the end of October when reports came in trough the resistance that the Allied army was advancing on to Boxtel from the east. The airborne troops were now starting to become somewhat impatient and wanted to do something fast but lacked sufficient weaponry. Luckily the resistance was able to provide them with sufficient gun power though it was of German origin. Near the end of October small groups off German soldiers travelling to the rear lines by way of the Oisterwijk woods were attacked by the oisterwijk resistance and under gun point robbed from their weapons, clothing and other belongings and were then kept imprisoned in the woods and on local farms. Some of this German weaponry finally found its way to the airborne troops in the Kampina forest which substantially increased their firepower.
After reports came trough of retreating Germans and advancing Allied reconnaissance units in their area the group of Allied soldiers decided that it was time to evacuate the hideout and pull out to the village of Boxtel. During the night of 24 October the group left their hideout and, covered by darkness, walked straight to the village of Boxtel that had been deserted by the German army. After cautiously entering the village the airborne soldiers were met by a celebrating and ecstatic Boxtel population and they were all greeted as their liberators. The troops had entered the village just ahead of the Allied army that rolled into the village the next morning to find it already liberated. There were at least over 100 men hiding in the Kampina forest.
This story is based on information from the book ‘Kampina Airborne’ by Peter van der Linden
The following list makes up the index with the names of the Allied Airborne men who stayed hidden in Kampina forest with the aid of the local Brabant underground and resistance. At the bottom of the list are the names of the Dutch helpers, underground and resistance people that provided their help to these evaders.
1 S/Sgt. W.W. Potts 365546 UK
2 Sgt. G. Stephenson 850562 UK
3 Sgt. H.E. Leahy 842960 UK
4 L/Bdr. T.H. Buckley 14313943 UK
5 Sgt. J. Whitehead 3528646 UK
6 2nd Lt. J. Szegda OP1510 Poland
7 Sgt. K. Luitwieler 1587 Holland
8 L/Cpl. K. Barnard T/191551 UK
9 Dvr. W. Eggleton 14524207 UK
10 2nd Lt. W.F. Baker 0.2059885 USA
11 T/Sgt. C.S. Domitrovich 36054843 USA
12 S/Sgt. R.D. Ellis 16088020 USA
13 Lt. G.R. Millar 176150 UK
14 Lt. J.H. Barclay 182663 UK
15 Lt. R. Sharp 300729 UK
16 Sgt. E. Cutforth 4914493 UK
17 L/Sgt. J.G. Stubbs 4915072 UK
18 Cpl. R.G. Bennett 4927193 UK
19 Cpl. S. Molden 3523507 UK
20 L/Cpl. S. Pointon 4918915 UK
21 L/Cpl. T. Raines 4922249 UK
22 Pte. H. Aston 14672012 UK
23 Pte. W. Bache 2028527 UK
24 Pte. A.W.J. Baker 6408485 UK
25 Pte. D.E. Colman 7952715 UK
26 Pte. B. Fielding 11252292 UK
27 Pte. S. Glover 5049694 UK
28 Pte. N. Guest 14316554 UK
29 Pte. W. Julian 4915133 UK
30 Pte. S. Lashbrook 5510873 UK
31 Pte. K. McCance 14316596 UK
32 Pte. G.H. Newell 5510818 UK
33 Pte. W. Owen 1790996 UK
34 Pte. N.C. Price 14340278 UK
35 Pte. W. Putterill 4922986 UK
36 Pte. R.A. Race 5124630 UK
37 Pte. E. Tams 4915292 UK
38 Pte. W.H. Wall 4914089 UK
39 Pte. J.R.W. 4917463 UK
40 Pte. C.F.Weate 4914495 UK
41 F/O. P. Jacobson T.430 USA
42 S/Sgt. W.R. Vaught 34235000 USA
43 1st/Sgt. P.R. Moukad 32014260 USA
44 Sgt. T.G. Connell 34235600 USA
45 Sgt. W.R. Hiney 35279916 USA
46 T/5. T.W. Lair 36070609 USA
47 T/5. J.F. Morgan 35111122 USA
48 Pfc. W.J. Connell 37270984 USA
49 Pvt. E.F. Corn 35717979 USA
50 Pfc. K.C. Hahnemann 36285844 USA
51 Pfc. J.W. Kotlarczyk 36176435 USA
52 Pfc. J.E. Schoenborn 36285510 USA
53 Pfc. D. Sufrin 32349314 USA
54 Pfc. C.C. Toepker 35674516 USA
55 Pfc. R.J. Tufnell 36112393 USA
56 F/O. C.O. Ritter T.121680 USA
57 S/Sgt. J. Pruett 15100862 USA
58 Sgt. H.S. Pierzchalski 36239318 USA
59 Pfc. J. Bulinsky 33574833 USA
60 Pfc. K.E. Gagen 35291537 USA
61 Pfc. R.E. Gommoll 32762512 USA
62 Pfc. C. Hammond 35269913 USA
63 Pfc. E. Kosterno 35719222 USA
64 Pfc. B.F. Lambert 34811689 USA
65 Pvt. L.L. Larick 35554180 USA
66 Pvt. C.P. Seibert 31417100 USA
67 Pvt. R.E. Weum 37565171 USA
68 Pvt. C.A. Woods 39042158 USA
69 Pvt. L.E. Wright 39716628 USA
70 2nd Lt. W.F. Brooks 0.807815 USA
71 S/Sgt. H.B. Farr 33350038 USA
72 T/Sgt. C.J. Obergfell 39610698 USA
73 F/O. J.G. Cleary T.122113 USA
74 S/Sgt. J.J. Burke 35523043 USA
75 Sgt. J. Casey 36239071 USA
76 Pfc. M.A. Bokesch 35592298 USA
77 Pfc. S.J. Wyzesien 12167536 USA
78 Pvt. J.M. Grove 33386741 USA
79 Pvt. E.E. Haney 35348874 USA
80 Pvt. E.J. Lyskawa 32475967 USA
81 Pvt. J.P. Nyeste 35592682 USA
82 Pvt. A.C. Robinson 20101904 USA
83 Pvt. P.O. Tamborini 35713094 USA
84 2nd Lt. J.A. Luton O.432595 USA
85 T/4. D.F. Johnson 37321097 USA
86 T/4. R.F. Franks 13058474 USA
87 Pvt. E. Pellum 34214067 USA
88 F/O. A.F. Moss T.835 USA
89 S/Sgt. J.B. Alm 35289171 USA
90 Sgt. S.A. Sulima 36396976 USA
91 T/5. G.L. Porter 34256766 USA
92 Pfc. D.H. Davis 34235444 USA
93 Pfc. J. Mayer 36239267 USA
94 Pfc. D.J. Mitchell 34235539 USA
95 Pfc. L. Shuler 34259385 USA
96 Pvt. W.J.Fichtner 32646592 USA
97 Pvt. N. Lemoine Jr. 34235923 USA
98 Pvt. M.E. Stomberg 36326530 USA
BOXTEL'S RESISTANCE
Resistance men and women and their associates from Boxtel and surroundings,
as far as could be identified by the author
PRINCIPAL MEMBERS OF THE SUPPORT/RESISTANCE OF BOXTEL
Klaas Dekker, Boxtel
Roel Dekker, Boxtel
Sjef de Jong, police officer, Boxtel
Cees van Leeuwen, Esch
Grard van der Meijden, Boxtel
Gabriël Sauer, Dordrecht
Marinus Verhagen, Esch
PERSONS, PRINCIPAL SUPPORT
H.L.A. de Beer, Oirschot
Willem de Groot, farmer, Lennisheuvel, Boxtel
Aalt van den Ham, forrester, Kampina
J. van den Heuvel-Maas, Kinderbos, Boxtel
Louis Katan, Rotterdam
Leo Kurtsjens, farmer, Lennisheuvel, Boxtel
Jan Kwant, Boxtel
Wim Meijer, forrester, Kampina
Van der Meyden, farmer, Tongeren, Boxtel
Wim Oerlemans, Udenhout
Father Janus Optatus van Asseldonk, Udenhout
A.E. Schuurmans, police officer, Boxtel
Chaplain Sleegers, Oisterwijk
Johan Hubacher, Oirschot
Willem Nooijen, Oirschot
Meyer, Straten, Oirschot
Louis Termeer, Oirschot
Fam Vlemminx, Oirschot
PERSONS, SUPPORT FOOD SUPPLY
Jan van Houtem, Kleiner Liempde, Boxtel
De Jong family, Boxtel
Jan de Jong, Boxtel
Theo Kurstjens, Lennisheuvel, Boxtel
Albert van Leeuwen, Esch
Fridus van Leeuwen, Esch
Nicolaas van Leeuwen, Esch
P.J. Smits, Boxtel
Wout van de Laar, baker, Boxtel
PERSONS AND FAMILIES, SUPPORT AND LOYALTY
Family of J. van Antwerpen, Boxtel
Van Beckhoven, bakker, Oisterwijk
Family of J. de Bie, Boxtel
Ed de Bruin, Boxtel
Sister Christinette, Ziekenhuis Boxtel
Wim Coppens, Vught
Truus Dekker, Boxtel
Zus Dekker, Boxtel
Family of F. van Erp, Boxtel
Mayor Francisse, Boxtel
De Groot Family, Lennisheuvel, Boxtel
Van Hal Family, Boxtel
Sjaan van Heesch-van Boxtel, Boxtel
Doctor Hoek, Boxtel
Jo and Cor van Hooff, Boxtel
Van Iersel (supplier of butter)
Family of Sjef de Jong, Boxtel
Jan Klijberg, Moergestel
Konings Family, Esch
Jan vd Laar, Boxtel
Door van der Meijden, Boxtel
Family of F vd Meijden, Boxtel
Schut Family, Balsvoort, Oisterwijk
Peter Smits, Boxtel
Cris Verwey, Boxtel
Van Zeeland-Hazenberg, Boxtel
DRUNEN'S RESISTANCE
Resistance men and women and their associates from Drunen and surroundings,
as far as could be identified by the author
PRINCIPAL MEMBERS OF THE SUPPORT/RESISTANCE DRUNEN
David Elshout, Drunen
Leo Elshout, Drunen
Henk Stooter, Elshout
Ad Veltman, Elshout
PERSONS, PRINCIPAL SUPPORT
Dr. G.C. Akkermans, Drunen
Frans Elshout, Drunen
H. Glaudemans, ’s-Hertogenbosch
Jan van Kempen, The Pesterd
Antoinette Klerks, Elshout
Cor Klerks, Elshout
H. Rumling, Helvoirt
C. van Tooren, Drunen
Henriëtte Veltman-Klerks, Elshout
Jan Veltman, Dunen
Godfridus Visser, Drunen
Brothers Sint Norbertus Institution, Elshout
-Father Superior Gilbertus Rusman, Elshout
-Rector van Zeeland, Elshout
Dominican Fathers, Drunen
-Brother Clemens
-Brother Hendrik Gielkens
-Father Nol Meijers
-Father Willem Schooneman
-Father Sjef Verschure
Chaplain Simons, Drunen
Members of the resistance group André
-Adriaan Kuysten, Sprang-Capelle
-Jan Mallens, Kaatsheuvel
-A. Smit, Mayor, Sprang-Capelle
PERSONS, GENERAL ASSISTANCE
Theo van Delft, Drunen
Piet Elshout, Drunen
Brother Aloises Hoogervorst, Elshout
Van Kempen family, The Pesterd
Tiny Metsemakers, Helvoirt
Father Schelentroot, Helvoirt
Frans Spierings, Elshout
Van Wagenberg, Heusden
Vin Weijers, Waalwijk
Sint Norbertus Institution, Elshout
-Brother Isfridus Meert
Sint Nicolaas hospital, Sisters of J.M.J Waalwijk
-Sister Superior Irmengard
-Sister Laetitia
KAMPINA AIRBORNE
Airborne evaders of the Kampina forest
The book Kampina Airborne is the true story about one of the most unique feats of evasion during World War Two. The story also tells of the courage and determination of the people of the Dutch underground and resistance who risked their own lives and that of their loved ones to help and hide a large number of Allied military men that had been forced to make premature landings by glider or parachute into enemy territory.
During the largest airborne operation of World War Two, as part of operation Market-Garden, not all Allied transport, tug and glider aircraft would reach their designated drop and landing-zones at Eindhoven, Nijmegen and Arnhem. From day one of the operation a large number of airborne troops and aircraft personnel would be forced to make premature landings, far away from their original destinations, in enemy held territory in the province of North Brabant. These military men were not only greatly assisted by the local resistance during their escape by being safely hidden, but in some cases also brought together as a large body of men, ultimately able to participate in the liberation of the area.
Kampina Airborne tells the true 'Market-Garden' story of a group of more than eighty Allied glider-borne troops who were forced to make premature landings in the Dutch province of North Brabant. Amongst these troops were men of the British 1st Airborne Division and the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. This book describes the ways in which these men were assisted by the local resistance after they had landed in enemy held territory, who their resistance helpers were, and the places that these men were hidden. The story also includes information about the pilots and crewmembers of the U.S. IX Troop Carrier Command and the British Glider Pilot Regiment who were piloting the aircraft. All their names are included together with detailed information about the events that took place and their personal experiences during the period that they were in hiding in the area south of the North Brabant capital 's-Hertogenbosch between September 17 and October 26 of 1944.
